OVG Announces Five New Hires For Climate Pledge Arena

Five new executives have joined the Climate Pledge Arena team in Seattle, Oak View Group announced on Sept. 22.

David Curry is joining as vice president of technology. He is originally from Seattle and previously spent 22 years with the Seattle Mariners, working for 13 years as VP of technology.

“I feel honored to join the Climate Pledge Arena team and be involved in the construction and operation of such an incredible sports and entertainment venue,” Curry said. “I grew up watching the Sonics and Pearl Jam under this iconic roof, and I am thrilled to be part of what I know will be an amazing and important entertainment destination. This, when combined with my involvement in the construction of Safeco Field, feels like I hit the hometown lottery twice.”

Nick Vaerewyck is vice president of programming, coming from Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York. There he was senior Vice president of programming and business operations and oversaw the building’s reopening after a $180 million renovation. He previously worked at Talking Stick Resort Arena and Comerica Theatre in Phoenix.

“It’s an incredible honor to join such a talented team at Climate Pledge Arena,” Vaerewyck said. “It has been inspiring to see the excitement the city has for the new building and the Seattle Kraken as the vision takes shape. Seattle has such a great history and tremendous support for its sports, music, and entertainment and I’m excited to play a role with everyone here.

Randy Foster will be the new director of event production. He was previously director of production for AEG Presents in Seattle, and oversaw the production of 650 shows annually in the Northwest region. He also worked at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville from 2006 to 2012.

“I couldn’t be prouder to be part of the team that’s bringing NHL hockey back to Seattle and expanding and renovating what will be the crown jewel of arenas in North America, the Climate Pledge Arena,” Foster said. “The team assembled here in Seattle is the finest in the world in sports and entertainment, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

Damon Murray is director of engineering. He comes from the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, where he was chief engineer managing HVAC, plumbing, painting, maintenance, locksmiths and electrical staff. He also worked at U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, N.C.

“It’s an honor to join the outstanding team at Climate Pledge Arena,” Murray said. “I’m delighted to leverage my years of experience in the venue industry to help further shape what will be the first net zero carbon certified arena in the world.”

Christine Spiller joins as senior director of event services. She recently worked as senior director of venue operations at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo., where she worked with guest relations and experience vision and directed logistics and event implementation. 

“Joining this team of talented and dedicated industry leaders is an absolute honor,” Spiller said. “I’m excited to play a part in Climate Pledge Arena’s evolution and help bring this project to life. Most importantly, I can’t wait for the day our guests and the city of Seattle can experience what we will have created for them.”

In June Jeff Bezos announced that Amazon had purchased the naming rights for the Seattle Kraken’s home in Seattle and that the building would be called Climate Pledge Arena “as a regular reminder of the urgent need for climate action.”

OVG (Pollstar’s parent company) also recently announced a partnership with H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation to build a new, state-of-the-art arena to serve California’s Coachella Valley.